Writing systems were independently invented multiple times across several ancient civilizations, with the earliest evidence coming from Mesopotamia, Egypt, China and Meso-America between the 4th and 1st millennium BC.
Thank you for including Nsibidi in this matrix! I have heard estimates that Nsibidi was over 10,000 years old by some accounts so I was fascinated to learn how it fits into the timeline!
The Veve symbols of the Afro-Caribbean Vodoun religion seem eerily similar to the Nsibidi script. Not sure if they're derived from the Nsibidi scripts, or whether they're analogous to Pseudo-Kufic scripts found in Renaissance paintings or the Pseudo-Hebrew scripts found on demon bowls (i.e., meaningless symbols made to look like writing).
The veve symbols are certainly not meaningless, unlike the Pseudo-Kufic signs. But yes, the resemblance has been noticed before. I think it's mostly because Nsibidi characters are drawn from naturally occurring shapes and symbols that have also been observed across many other societies. (probably the same reason every society has its version of a cross, e.g., the traditional priests of 16th century benin city who wore cross pendants hanging down from their necks exactly like Christian priests)
Thank you for including Nsibidi in this matrix! I have heard estimates that Nsibidi was over 10,000 years old by some accounts so I was fascinated to learn how it fits into the timeline!
I had to include it, because it tends to get overlooked.
I don't know where or how you gather this amount of information from for us but I'm very grateful that you do 🙏🏾
Thank you!
Fascinating! Thank you!
The Veve symbols of the Afro-Caribbean Vodoun religion seem eerily similar to the Nsibidi script. Not sure if they're derived from the Nsibidi scripts, or whether they're analogous to Pseudo-Kufic scripts found in Renaissance paintings or the Pseudo-Hebrew scripts found on demon bowls (i.e., meaningless symbols made to look like writing).
The veve symbols are certainly not meaningless, unlike the Pseudo-Kufic signs. But yes, the resemblance has been noticed before. I think it's mostly because Nsibidi characters are drawn from naturally occurring shapes and symbols that have also been observed across many other societies. (probably the same reason every society has its version of a cross, e.g., the traditional priests of 16th century benin city who wore cross pendants hanging down from their necks exactly like Christian priests)
Thanks for the Nsibidi writing information.
Do you have a podcast?😅
not yet
I think that may be a good investment!